Employment head leaves RCN for 'hands-on'HR post

Royal College of Nursing employment relations director Steve Griffin is to leave the union to take up a key NHS human resources post.Mr Griffin, who has been with the RCN for three years, has been appointed executive director of human resources at West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance trust, which will run the national nurse agency scheme, NHS Professionals.Mr Griffin said: 'The opportunity to tackle the NHS change agenda from a more hands-on angle was irresistible.'

Financial penalties are being lifted from high-profile standards including cancer and elective waiting times, so far without attracting much attention. How is this happening? And will it work, asks Rob Findlay